Republicans went on an unendorsement spree on Saturday, many rescinding their support for Donald Trump after the leak of a 2005 tape in which their party’s presidential candidate boasts about sexual assault. The numbers are astounding. At least 39 national lawmakers and governors rescinded their support since the tape was released, according to a count by Daniel Nichanian. Now almost 30 percent of the members in the Senate’s GOP caucus have expressly said they will not vote for their own party’s presidential candidate.
When you take out the men, the ratio is even higher: Almost 40 percent of all Republican women serving as national lawmakers or governors say they will not support their party’s candidate for president.
Some Republicans were already refusing to get on board the Trump train, even before the tape had been released. But before this weekend, they were a lonely bunch. Now at least 57 Republican national lawmakers and governors say they will not vote for Trump.
Here are the ones that changed their mind on supporting Trump since the tape was released:
Republicans Who Now Say They Will Not Vote for Trump
Sen. Kelly Ayotte (New Hampshire): “I’m a mom and an American first, and I cannot and will not support a candidate for president who brags about degrading and assaulting women. I will not be voting for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton and instead will be writing in Governor Pence for president on Election Day.”
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (Utah): “I can no longer in good conscience endorse this person for president. It is some of the most abhorrent and offensive comments that you can possibly imagine.”
Gov. Gary Herbert (Utah): “Donald Trump’s statements are beyond offensive & despicable. While I cannot vote for Hillary Clinton, I will not vote for Trump.”
Rep. Cresent Hardy (Nevada): “I will no longer support the guy at the head of the ticket.”
Gov. Brian Sandoval (Nevada): “This video exposed not just words, but now an established pattern which I find to be repulsive and unacceptable for a candidate for president of the United States. I cannot support him as my party’s nominee.”
Gov. Robert Bentley (Alabama): “I certainly won’t vote for Hillary Clinton, but I cannot and will not vote for Donald Trump.”
Rep. Tom Rooney (Florida): “If I support him for president, I will be telling my boys that I think it’s okay to treat women like objects—and I’ll have failed as a dad. Therefore, I can no longer support Donald Trump for president and will not be voting for him or Hillary Clinton.”
Sen. John McCain (Arizona): “Donald Trump’s behavior this week, concluding with the disclosure of his demeaning comments about women and his boasts about sexual assaults, make it impossible to continue to offer even conditional support for his candidacy.”
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (New Jersey): “I have repeatedly and strongly spoken out against Mr. Trump when he degrades and insults women, minority groups and Gold Star military families. I will not vote for a candidate who boasts of sexual assault. It is my conclusion that Mr. Trump is unfit to be president … I will write in Governor Mike Pence for President.”
Rep. Erik Paulsen (Minnesota): “For months I have said Donald Trump has not earned my vote. The disgusting statements reveled last night make it clear he cannot. I will not be voting for him.”
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (Washington): “For months I’ve left the door open for Donald Trump to earn my vote. That door has now slammed shut.”
Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio): “While I continue to respect those who still support Donald Trump, I can no longer support him. I will continue to believe our country cannot afford a Hillary Clinton presidency. I will be voting for Mike Pence for President.”
Republicans Who Are Now Outright Calling on Trump to Drop Out
Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho): “I have reached the decision that I can no longer endorse Donald Trump. This is not a decision that I have reached lightly, but his pattern of behavior has left me no choice. … Make no mistake—we need conservative leadership in the White House. I urge Donald Trump to step aside and allow the Republican party to put forward a conservative candidate like Mike Pence who can defeat Hillary Clinton.”
Rep. Martha Roby (Alabama): “Donald Trump’s behavior makes him unacceptable as a candidate for president, and I won’t vote for him. … Now, it is abundantly clear that the best thing for our country and our party is for Trump to step aside and allow a responsible, respectable Republican to lead the ticket.”
Rep. Chris Stewart (Utah): “I’m incredibly disappointed in our party’s candidate. And unlike the Democrats who have proven completely unwilling to hold secretary Clinton accountable for her illegal activities that endangered our national security, I am willing to hold Mr. Trump accountable. I am therefore calling for him to step aside and to allow Mike Pence to lead our party.”
Rep. Joe Heck (Nevada): “I can no longer look past this pattern of behavior and inappropriate comments from Donald Trump. Therefore, I cannot, in good conscience, continue to support him nor can I vote for Hillary Clinton. … I believe our only option is to formally ask Mr. Trump to step down and allow Republicans the opportunity to elect someone who will provide us with the strong leadership so desperately needed and one that Americans deserve.”
Gov. Dennis Daugaard (South Dakota): “Enough is enough. Donald Trump should withdraw in favor of Governor Mike Pence. This election is too important.”
Sen. John Thune (South Dakota): “Donald Trump should withdraw and Mike Pence should be our nominee effective immediately.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia): “I am deeply offended by Mr. Trump’s remarks … The appropriate next step may be for him to reexamine his candidacy.”
Rep. Rodney Davis (Illinois): “The abhorrent comments made by Donald Trump are inexcusable … I am rescinding my support for Donald Trump and asking to have my name removed from his agriculture advisory committee. With the terrible options America has right now, I cannot cast my vote for any of the candidates, so I hope Donald Trump withdraws from the race so the American people can elect Mike Pence as our next president.”
Rep. Ann Wagner (Missouri): “I have committed my short time in Congress to fighting for the most vulnerable in our society. As a strong and vocal advocate for victims of sex trafficking and assault, I must be true to those survivors and myself and condemn the predatory and reprehensible comments of Donald Trump. I withdraw my endorsement and call for Governor Pence to take the lead so we can defeat Hillary Clinton.”
Rep. Bradley Byrne (Alabama): “Donald Trump’s comments regarding women were disgraceful and appalling … It is now clear Donald Trump is not fit to be president of the United States and cannot defeat Hillary Clinton. I believe he should step aside and allow Governor Pence to lead the Republican ticket.”
Rep. Scott Garrett (New Jersey): “Donald Trump’s comments are inexcusable … I believe that MikePence would be the best nominee for the Republican Party to defeat Hillary Clinton.”
Rep. Cory Gardner (Colorado): “If Donald Trump wishes to defeat Hillary Clinton, he should do the only thing that will allow us to do so—step aside.”
Radio host Hugh Hewitt: “For the benefit of the country, the party and his family, and for his own good, @realDonaldTrump should withdraw. More and worse oppo coming”
Condoleezza Rice: “Enough! Donald Trump should not be President. He should withdraw. As a Republican, I hope to support someone who has the dignity and stature to run for the highest office in the greatest democracy on earth.”
Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska): “I’m calling on Trump to step aside for Gov. Pence. Trump can’t lead on critical issue of ending dom violence & sexual assault.”
Sen. Deb Fischer (Nebraska): “The comments made by Mr. Trump were disgusting and totally unacceptable under any circumstance. It would be wise for him to step aside and allow Mike Pence to serve as our party’s nominee.”
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (Nebraska): “As Americans we are faced with two strikingly bad choices: Donald Trump, who has abused women, and Hillary Clinton who has enabled the abuse of women. It’s all wrong. For my part, I ask that Donald Trump step aside and allow Mike Pence to become the Republican nominee.”
Republicans Who Were on the Fence or Had Already Said They Weren’t Voting for Trump
Gov. John Kasich (Ohio) : “Donald Trump is a man I cannot and should not support. The actions of the last day are disgusting, but that’s not why I reached this decision, it has been an accumulation of his words and actions that many have been warning about. I will not vote for a nominee who has behaved in a manner that reflects so poorly on our country. Our country deserves better.”
Gov. Bill Haslam (Tennessee): “I want to emphasize that character in our leaders does matter. None of us in elected office are perfect, but the decisions that are made in the Oval Office have too many consequences to ignore the behavior we have seen. It is time for the good of the nation and the Republican Party for Donald Trump to step aside and let Gov. Mike Pence assume the role as the party’s nominee. If he does not step aside, I will write in a Republican for the office of president.”
Sen. Jeff Flake (Arizona): Donald Trump “is wrong about his level of support. He needs to withdraw from the race.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska): “I cannot and will not support Donald Trump for president. He has forfeited the right to be our party’s nominee.”
Rep. John Katko (New York): “Like many of my constituents, I am frustrated by this presidential campaign, which is why I have declined to endorse either candidate. They do not share my values.”
Sen. Susan Collins (Maine): “Donald Trump’s lewd comments are the latest in a series of remarks he has made ranging from inappropriate to reprehensible that demonstrate why he is unsuitable for the presidency. It was comments like these, including the statements he made about John McCain, a disabled reporter, the family of a fallen soldier and more, that caused me to decide this summer that I could not support his candidacy.”
Rep. Steve Knight (California): “I have decided that I cannot support either candidate for president. I will continue to focus on serving the people of the 25th Congressional District and fighting for our priorities here and in Washington, D.C.”
Sen. Mark Kirk (Illinois): “The party of Lincoln rejects Donald Trump. I stand with the calls for him to drop out.”
Rep. Carlos Curbelo (Florida): I’m disgusted by Mr. Trump’s comments. I wouldn’t want anyone speaking about my wife, my daughters, or any woman that way. It’s inexcusable.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (South Carolina): “Name one sports team, university, publicly-held company, etc. that would accept a person like this as their standard bearer?”
Gov. Susana Martinez (New Mexico): “Unfortunately, there is a pattern of disturbing conduct and offensive rhetoric that raises serious questions about his fitness to be president. That’s why I have withheld my support from the very beginning, and will not support him now.”
Rep. Fred Upton (Michigan): “I urge him to think about our country over his own candidacy and carefully consider stepping aside from the ticket.”
Sen. Mike Lee (Utah): “Donald Trump is a distraction. Time for him to step aside so we can focus on winning ideas that will carry Republicans to a victory in Nov.”
Rep. Barbara Comstock (Virginia): “Donald Trump should step aside and allow our party to replace him. I cannot in good conscience vote for Trump.”
Rep. Justin Amash (Michigan): “As I’ve said all along, I’m not voting for @realDonaldTrump (or @HillaryClinton). It’s time for self-reflection from Trump and @GOP leaders.”
Rep. Mia Love (Utah): “His behavior and bravado have reached a new low. I cannot vote for him.”
Rep. Mike Coffman (Colorado): “For the good of the country, and to give the Republicans a chance of defeating Hillary Clinton, Mr. Trump should step aside.”
Rep. Will Hurd (Texas): “I never endorsed Trump and I cannot in good conscience support or vote for a man who degrades women, insults minorities and has no clear path to keep our country safe. He should step aside for a true conservative to beat Hillary Clinton.”
Sen. Ben Sasse (Nevada): Character matters.@realDonaldTrump is obviously not going to win. But he can still make an honorable move: Step aside & let Mike Pence try.
Rep. Charlie Dent (Pennsylvania): “The chairman of the R.N.C. must look out for the good of the party as a whole, so he should be working to get [Trump] to step down.”
